Lichfield’s stolen Nutcracker will be tracked down, authorities have said.

The 8ft tall fibreglass soldier – one of a dozen in a festive trail which has delighted adults and children alike – was taken from his post at Greenhill, near the Duke of York pub, sometime between 7pm on Saturday, December 23 and 9.30pm on Thursday, December 28.

Lichfield BID Manager David Tomalin told the Lichfield Mercury : “I would like to reassure everyone that we are working hard to identify who is responsible for the loss of our Nutcracker doll.

“Many have commented that it was attached to the base of a CCTV column and their surprise at its loss.

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The Nutcracker posted to Greenhill has been stolen. (Image: Lichfield BID)

“However, whilst CCTV cameras do not point in a downward direction, they do pan around the vicinity and we are trawling through these recordings to identify who was in the area at the time.

“Anyone with any further information should contact Staffordshire Police.”

It’s not the first time the colourful soldiers have been in the wars – at the start of December, the trail was hit by vandalism which left one Nutcracker on Market Street temporarily out of action and several others damaged.

Police have since charged a man over one incident and the culprit agreed to pay for damage caused.

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Lichfield's Nutcracker soldiers in the wars

Lichfield has over 120 CCTV cameras primed to tackle antisocial behaviour – and wrongdoers will be banned from every pub in the city if their bad behaviour was fuelled by alcohol.

Mr Tomalin added: “It is always a disappointment when thoughtless actions spoil things for the many visitors and residents who have enjoyed the Nutcracker trail, but I would like to reassure you all that they will be back next Christmas to add some further magic to Lichfield’s Christmas celebrations.”